Jeremy Webb, Aviation Environmental Programs

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Airports Going Green Conference

Hosted by AAAE/CDA

October 31, 2011

199 Boeing 737 aircraft!*

*Equivalent weight of waste generated annually at SEA

Outline Background

Why focus on concession/tenant generated waste?

Sustainability drivers at SEA?

Stakeholder engagement

Challenges of working with Diverse Concessions

Education and Outreach at SEA

Case Studies

Recognition

Conclusion

Background Port of Seattle owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma

International Airport and Seattle’s Seaport

Environmental stewardship is an organizational

priority

Environmental Strategy Plan - SEA’s roadmap to

sustainability

Set goal to reach 50% recycling rate by 2014

Why Concession/Tenant waste? 90% of SEA waste comes from public areas,

concessions, and aircraft

Primary interaction with concession sustainability

initiatives involve waste reduction and recycling

Public views waste as reflection of SEA’s

commitment to sustainability

Opportunities to reduce costs, increase

sustainability, and improve customer service (triple-

bottom-line)

What Drives Concession Sustainability at SEA? Airport commitment to sustainability

Customer expectations

Corporate Social Responsibility

Local conditions

The Pacific Northwest has some of the nations highest

landfill disposal fees and robust recycling markets

Stakeholder Engagement Include all stakeholders in waste planning activities

Gather input to understand current practices,

challenges, and future waste reduction and recycling

opportunities

Address distinct differences between

concessionaires and airlines with separate

processes

Diverse Concessions and

Challenges Concession size

Extensive training for large concessions – solution: train the trainer

Small concessions with limited resources – solution: make programs cost effective and provide resources

Economies of scale and supply chain logistic impact business decisions

Concession business types Food and beverage, retail, and service concessions

generate different waste

Takeaway: Understand your concessions and support sustainability in their unique operations

Education and Outreach at SEA Provide Resources and Technical Assistance to

concessions/tenants

Communicate goals and progress

Provide free waste reduction training and recycling

collection receptacles

Maintain dialogue with concessions/tenants

Takeaway: Education and outreach are essential

for success

Case Studies 1. Food Scrap Recycling

2. Food Bank Donations

3. Airfield Waste and Recycling

Food Scrap Recycling Drivers

58% of airport waste compostable

Opportunity to reduce concession disposal costs

Actions Began by collecting coffee grounds - averaged 12 tons/month

Expanded program to include all compostable material

Partnered with HMSHost to implement back-of-house food scrap recycling

Expanded back-of-house collection to non-HMSHost concessions

In 2010, implemented pilot project to collect food scraps in Central terminal food court

Accomplishments Nearly doubled monthly diversion of compostable material from 12 tons to

23 tons

Reduced concessions and airport solid waste disposal costs

Recycled coffee grounds

Back-of-house

Central Terminal Food court

Front-of-house

Food Bank Donation Drivers

Large quantities of unsold food going to landfill

Opportunity to reduce costs, reduce waste, and support local community

Actions Obtained buy-in from five concessionaires in 2005

Liability concerns addressed through State and Federal and Good Samaritan Acts

Designated convenient donation room with refrigerators

Coordinated routine collection schedule with food bank

HMSHost began donating in 2011

Accomplishments Since 2005, concessionaires donated over 50,000 lbs.

That’s 150 meals every week over five years!

Takeaway: Food Bank Donation is a win/win/win for airports, concessions, and airport communities

150 meals per week for 5 years!

Food Bank Donations

Airfield Waste and Recycling Drivers

20% of airport waste is generated by aircraft

Inefficient airline waste management practices on airfield

Elevated airline waste disposal costs

Ramp safety issues, and tenant conflicts

Actions Engaged airline stakeholders to understand needs

Coordinated West Coast airports to understand recycling infrastructure, services, and handling practice commonalities

Installed centralized Airport-managed airfield waste and recycling system

Accomplishments Airlines recycled 184 tons of deplaned waste in 2010

Reduced airline waste disposal costs

Improved ramp safety by reducing airfield traffic, FOD and wildlife hazards, and resolved airline disposal conflicts

Paired recycling and

trash compactors at

gate B4

Deplaned

waste

recycling

Don’t Forget Recognition

Conclusion Airport goals, Corporate Social Responsibility, and

local economic and market conditions primarily drive

concession sustainability at SEA

Separate stakeholder processes for concessions

and airlines

Understand your concessions and support

sustainability in their unique operations

Education and Outreach are essential for success

Recognize concession sustainability

accomplishments

Thank You

Thank You